Barcelona Travel Guide

El Raval

One of two districts bordering La Rambla - the other being the
established tourist area of Barri Gotic - El Raval is a compelling
and interesting neighbourhood, with a long and chequered history.
Located near Barcelona's port, El Raval has always had a
multicultural and slightly seedy character, leading to it being
dubbed
('Chinatown') by locals. After struggling with
social problems like crime and prostitution through much of the
20th century, in the late-1980s the Barcelona city council began a
concerted program of urban rejuvenation in the area, which saw many
of its best sites - such as the MACBA Museum and the CCCB Cultural
Centre - being constructed. These days, El Raval remains an
exciting, multicultural area (47.4% of its population are
foreign-born), that is particularly popular with backpackers and
revellers keen to check out some of Barcelona's racier bars and
clubs. Although the area is still a little sleazy - tourists should
be careful of pickpockets in the area, and

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